Beloved Leader

Most of my life I have looked for someone who is tolerant of other people’s points of view, has a great knowledge of human nature and intuitively knows how to use and cultivate the strengths of the people around him. He is someone who is truly mature, very patient and has the ability to really listen and then understand what someone is trying to say. He is a person who feels deeply, but is able to be calm and relaxed when dealing with most situations.

To me this is the quintessential partner, the most beloved of leaders. He is the hero in the stories I like to write, the one I day dream about helping and being with.

I think most people have a desire to meet people like this. Even loners like me want to belong to something and a good leader makes it possible for all people to feel they are an integral part of something important.

The danger is the ability of charismatic and con men to appeal to people in the same way. All good charlatans are able to pull people in for a while, but a great leader pulls them in from several places at once. He is able to see their strengths and use it for the greatest good, not just his own.

A beloved leader is like a candle on a cold dark night. Each one of his followers believes he is there to keep them warm and show them the way, and each one believes it is his, or her wings that keep his flame from going out.